See PennLive's Penn State-UCF picks and predictions, share yours, vote in the poll

Penn State enters Saturday's Croke Park Classic a two-point underdog to Central Florida. Can the Nittany Lions spring the upset?

Below are predictions from the PennLive Penn State football writers.

Vote in the poll and share your game pick reasoning in the comment section below.

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BOB FLOUNDERS

This is a game in which PSU must get a lot of the little details right to win. The Lions must also be better on special teams, opportunistic on defense and efficient on offense when presented with a decent scoring chance.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: PSU WR Geno Lewis. Remember back to last year's season opener against Syracuse. It was a very tight game save for the performance of Lions' All-American Allen Robinson. In just a half, he made several big plays to swing momentum PSU's way. Lewis isn't Robinson, but he must make a big impact.

DON'T BE SURPRISED IF... Both teams are forced to settle for plenty of field-goal tries as both defenses rule.

Central Florida 26, Penn State 19

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JOE HERMITT

The James Franklin Era begins with a tough test against UCF. It helps to have QB Christian Hackenberg back, but Knights D is solid. PSU defense needs to keep it close and hope Hack & Co. can work their magic late.

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Inexperienced PSU O-Line will have hands full with aggressive UCF defense.

DON'T BE SURPRISED IF...PSU offense plays it close to the vest, max protecting Hackenberg.

UCF 24, PSU 17

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DUSTIN HOCKENSMITH

As much as Penn State's weaknesses have been nitpicked, the Nittany Lions have known strengths in veteran running backs, D-linemen and tight ends, as well as sophomore QB Christian Hackenberg. Can coach James Franklin leverage those strengths into an advantage against a more experienced UCF team?

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: OC Angelo Mangiro. Mangiro is the most vocal Nittany Lion on a rebuilt offensive line. If this unit is to fend off a talented, experienced UCF front seven, Mangiro will be key in communicating calls and protections to his young line mates.

DON'T BE SURPRISED IF... Penn State keeps it simple for Hackenberg, moves the pocket and maximizes its tight ends. Franklin has talked at length about minimizing deficiencies, and he doesn't have a bigger one than his O-line.

UCF 31, PSU 27

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DAVID JONES

How can PSU gameplan with a really shaky O-line and no established go-to WR? PSU has a vet QB vs UCF's rookie. But what does it mean without support?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Geno Lewis. He holds the key to a possible PSU win if Christian Hackenberg can gain a connection with him early and often. Otherwise the QB is adrift at sea.

DON'T BE SURPRISED IF...Penn State's special teams troubles continue until assistant Charles Huff can get a handle on who he can trust. PSU cannot afford a gaffe that surrenders points in this game.

UCF 26, PSU 14

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MICHAEL SEDOR

UCF may be have lost the football hipster's pick for 2014 NFL rookie of the year Blake Bortles but his potpourri of Knight WR talent remains as do nine of 11 defensive starters? But was last year's 12-1 campaign a mirage? A 7-1 record in one-possession games may indicate just that.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: How sharp will UCF redshirt freshman QB Pete DiNovo's growing pains be during his first college football action?

DON'T BE SURPRISED IF...James Franklin motivates his Nittany Lions to an upset victory which inspires Irish fans to forget about the Gaelic Games relocation hullabaloo.

PSU 31, UCF 28

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AUDREY SNYDER

It's time to figure out if this Penn State offense can produce with an o- line that wasn't on the field together for most of camp. The PSU defense will have two strong receivers to deal with but should be able to generate some pressure on a young QB to keep it close.

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: DT Anthony Zettel. If the Lions can rattle redshirt freshman QB Pete DiNovo and keep the ground game in check they'll need Zettel to be disruptive. If Zettel can't be effective in the middle and the backs get to the next level it can further expose PSU's linebacking corps.

DON'T BE SURPRISED IF...More than five true freshman see meaningful playing time. WRs Saeed Blacknall and Chris Godwin can help spread out the defense while speedy CB Grant Haley could be a special teams contributor right away.